Closure fastener



Aug. 27, 1 s. R. PUTNAM CLOSURE FASTENER Filed Oct. 26, 1939 mmmmmmmhnmmnmm IHHHHH WWWWWJTH' I Jwucnfo'a 575 /15 PUT/VAN Patented Aug. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention ,relates to improvements in a fastening device of the spring retracted bolt type adapted for attachment to an edge of a door,

I closure, or the like for the purpose of holding it in a desired open or closed position. It comprises a novel arrangement and operation of the various parts thereof as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The object of the invention is to provide a stop or holder which is effective in operation, silent, and adapted to be alternately set and released by the application of an external force in the same direction on a single movable external member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a doorstop wherein the internal loads are progressively and silently relieved.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the consideration of the following description and accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal View partly in section .of the doorstep in set position while the external force remains applied;

Figure 2 represents a longitudinal view partly in section of the doorstop in set position after the external force is removed;

Figure 3 represents a longitudinal view partly in section of the doorstop in an inoperative or released position;

Figure 4 is a rear view of the complete assembly;

Figure 5 is a view through 5-5 in Figure 3; and

Figure .6 is a view through 6-6 in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing wherein the various parts are identified by like reference characters in the six views, the hollow plunger l is provided with an end portion 2 connected with which is rod or bolt 4 carrying slidable cap 5, plunger retracting spring 6, and anchor elevating spring I; vBolt 4vpasses through the guide member 8 and is movably attached to anchor spring 3. The member 8, which forms a part of the mounting plate 9 and extends across the plunger, guides the bolt 4 and removably engages one end of the coil spring 6. An equivalent of guide member 8 is contemplated comprising a yoke or fork fixed to plate 9 which is adapted to engage a sliding ring and shoulder fitted around the bolt 4 and Anchor spring 3, which is adapted to exert a pressure on the walls of the plunger, is linked by the relatively weak coil spring 10 to trigger Ii. The trigger ii, hinged to the plunger at I6 is withdrawn by coil spring I in releasing the doorstop and is held in a potentially engaging position as shown in Figure 3 when the spring is not in tension. Whether the spring i0 is, or is not, under tension depends upon the relative position of the anchoring box spring 3 as described below.

The mounting plate 9 shown in detail in Figures l, and 6 of the drawing includes the guide member 8, the trigger stop l2, the trigger engaging surface l9, opening i8, and the flanges adapted for mounting the doorstep. The plate 9 is 'movably attached tothe plunger by member I1. The stop l2 or its equivalent is provided to limit the movement of the trigger ll across the engaging surface l9 in setting the doorstop. Opening l8 permits trigger H to assume an inoperative or released position. Other trigger engaging and releasingv construction may be used without departing from the invention. For example, I contemplate using a trigger the free end of which normally would not contact the plate 9 and then providing an engaging surface 19 by pressing inwardly a portion of the mounting plate. In yet another modification, the trigger is normally adapted to engage the plate and a portion of the plate corresponding to the opening [8 is recessed or pressed outwardly to permit release of the trigger.

In the lower portion of the plunger, a cushion M of rubber or other resilient material may be held by suitable means, for example, a rod or rivet i3 extending through the shank of the cushion. The resilient material extends some distance below the plunger 1 and is adapted to engage the floor surface for frictional contact therewith when the device is in an operative position. Other cushioning and attaching means may be substituted for those shown without departing from this invention. Also, the plunger may terminate in an all metal bolt adapted to coact with a recess in the floor, ground, wall, or the like.

To bring the doorstep into the intermediate position shown in Figure l, a downward force is applied to the cap 5, whereupon plunger 1' moves relative to the holding or mounting plate 9 and forces the cushion l4 against the floors Simultaneously, the contacting edge of trigger II carried by the movable plunger is'drawn across engaging surface I9 of the mounting plate 9 with the result that the plunger I is held in an ill - ing the prior art doorstops.

operative position by the action of spring 6, trigger l I and the surface l9 when the external force is diminished.

When the applied force is removed entirely, the release mechanism begins to function. Referring to Figure 2, the member 3 is a box-shaped piece of spring steel or the equivalent that is adapted to exert a force on the walls of the plunger sufficient to anchor the trigger spring I and maintain it under tension but movable in response to spring I. As the external force is removed from cap 5, the spring I about rod or bolt 4 between the end 2 of the plunger I and the cap 5, lifts the cap 5 and with it bolt 4 until the shoulder IS on bolt 4 strikes against the end 2 of the plunger I. In this operation bolt 5 urged by spring I carries the box spring member 3 to a higher setting and thereby places the spring ID in tension between the anchor spring 3 and the trigger H. The doorstop is now in its holding position and may be released by the application of a external force on cap 5.

To release the doorstop, as shown in Figure 3, force is applied to cap 5 preferably by placing ones foot upon it, depressing the cap 5 and plunger i until the load is taken from the contacting edge of trigger i! and then the trigger is pulled out of engaging contact with surface i9 by spring K! which is anchored by box spring 3. As the applied force decreases on cap 5, i. e., as the user is lifting his foot, the strongest spring 6 silently urges the plunger upward with reference to the mounting plate 9 until the box spring 3 and one end of bolt engage the Liar-vb" 8 which extends across the plunger and is affixed to the mounting plate 9 as shown in detail in Figures 3 and 5. This moves the cushion 54 out of functional engagement with the floor and permits the door or closure to be freely moved. Trigger H likewise is brought into its initial position by released spring Hi, placing the entire mechanism in position for repeating the operation. cycle described above.

My device is silent and positive in its action and therefore is particularly adaptable for use as a doorstop. A single type of motion on a single external member serves to set or release the mechanism thereby avoiding the confusion and multiple movements of setting and releas- The internal forces are relieved progressively and silently. Therefore when used as a doorstop the foot of the operator remains in contact with the cap 5, due to the action of springs 6 and 7, until the ultimate raised position is reached. There is no clatter when the mechanism is released and this is a definite advantage when the device is used where it is desirable to avoid disturbances.

Although I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention including a substantially U-shaped plunger, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in th structure without departing 'from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a fastening device of the spring retractable bolt type, the improvement including means for automatically relieving the internal stresses in releasing the device, said means including a trigger means, a slidable anchor spring, and a spring linkage between the said trigger and said slidable anchor spring.

2. A fastening device of a spring retractable bolt type including a movable plunger, a slidable cap over one end of the plunger, spring means within the plunger for retracting said plunger ooacting with a trigger means controlled by a suitable spring and a movable spring anchoring means shiftable to an operative position in response to the movement of said plunger and cap whereby a downward force exerted on the cap shifts the plunger into an operative position and a second downward force applied to the cap releases the said trigger, causing the retraction of the plunger while permitting the cap to follow the progressively withdrawn force until the ultimate upward movement has been completed.

3. A fastening device comprising a plunger closed at one end and a plate movably secured to said plunger providing a chamber, an extension of said plate within said plunger, a rod slidable within said plunger and having a portion slidable through an opening in said extension and through the end of said plunger, a first spring within said plunger operative to move said plunger into an inoperative position, trigger means within said chamber hinged to said plunger, said trigger being adapted to engage a portion of said plate and maintain the device in an operative position, a slidable spring anchoring means within the chamber movably attached to said rod and frictionally engaging the walls of said plunger, a slidable cap over the closed end of said plunger providing a second chamber, said rod positively attached to said cap, a coil spring within said second chamber operative to move automatically the said anchor spring to an operative position, a second coil spring linking said trigger means and the slidable anchor spring, said second coil spring being operative to withdraw said trigger means from is operative position to permit the movement of the said plunger into an inoperative position by the action of the first spring.

4.11: a fastening device. of the retractable bolt type, the improvement including a movable plunger, means for holding the plunger in pro tracted position while permitting controlled retraction of the plunger when released after application of a force applied in the same direction as that necessary for the protraction of the plunger, said means including a trigger means, a slidable anchor spring and a spring linkage between the said trigger and said slidable anchor spring.

5. A fastening device of the spring retractable bolt type including a movable plunger, a cap at one end of the plunger, spring means within the plunger and adapted to cause the plunger to retract, trigger means controlled by a second spring and a movable anchoring means shiftable to an operative position in response to protracting movement of said plunger and cap whereby a force exerted on the cap moves the plunger into a protracted position while a second force exerted on the cap releases the said trigger, permitting the retraction of the plunger while permitting the cap to follow a progressively withdrawn force until the ultimate retracted movement of the plunger has been completed.

6. A fastening device comprising a hollow plunger, a rod slidable within said plunger and extending through one extremity thereof, a first spring within said plunger operative to move said plunger into a retracted position, trigger means within a portion of the chamber formed by the interior of said plunger and hingedly connected thereto, said trigger means being adapted to engage a portion of said plunger and maintain it in a protracted position, slidable spring anchoring means within said chamber, movably attached to said rod and frictionally engaging the said plunger, a cap surmounting one end of said plunger and providing a second. chamber, a spring within said second chamber for moving the said anchor spring to an operative position, a second spring linking said trigger means and said slidable anchor spring, said second spring being operative to release said trigger means from its engaging position, thereby permitting movement of said plunger into a retracted position under the influence of the said 5 first spring,

STEPHEN R. PUTNAM. 

